Hospitals across the east of England have been placed on "black alert" as staff and wards are overwhelmed by high patient numbers.
Hospitals across the east of England have been placed on "black alert" as staff and wards are overwhelmed by high patient numbers.
Non-urgent cases have been sent home after up to 10 ambulances were left queuing outside one hospital.
Non-urgent cases have been sent home after up to 10 ambulances were left queuing outside one hospital.
Few or no beds are free at Addenbrokes, Cambridge, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, and the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston, NHS bosses said.
Few or no beds are free at Addenbrooke's, Cambridge, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, and the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston.
Patient numbers have been blamed for the alert, used for major incidents.
Patient numbers have been blamed for the alert, used for major incidents.
Paramedics treated patients in ambulances outside the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) on Wednesday evening.
Paramedics treated patients in ambulances outside the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) on Wednesday evening.
The alert status means plans designed to enable staff to cope with major incidents, such as terrorist attacks and train crashes, are put into action.
The alert status means plans designed to enable staff to cope with major incidents, such as terrorist attacks and train crashes, are put into action.
'No single incident'
'No single incident'
At NNUH, which announced it had reached the emergency status on Wednesday afternoon, managers have worked with other agencies to discharge non-urgent patients from the 1,000-bed hospital to create space.
At NNUH, which announced it had reached the emergency status on Wednesday afternoon, managers worked with other agencies to discharge non-urgent patients from the 1,000-bed hospital to create space.
It urged people with minor injuries not to attend the A&E.
It urged people with minor injuries not to attend the A&E.
NNUH spokesman Andrew Stronach said there was no single incident that brought on the beds crisis.
NNUH spokesman Andrew Stronach said there was no single incident that brought on the beds crisis.
"It's just general run of the mill problems, like chest pains, collapses, diarrhoea and vomiting."
"It's just general run of the mill problems, like chest pains, collapses, diarrhoea and vomiting."
HOSPITAL ALERTS Amber alert: Early warning of pressure increase in the normal activity. Red alert: Escalating pressure in one or more part of the system continuing to increase. Black alert: Contingency measure are exhausted and pressures are not sustainable.
HOSPITAL ALERTS Amber alert: Early warning of pressure increase in the normal activity. Red alert: Escalating pressure in one or more part of the system continuing to increase. Black alert: Contingency measure are exhausted and pressures are not sustainable.
But Norman Lamb, MP for Norfolk North, told the BBC that the hospital was regularly well above the safe occupancy level of 85%, and this incident was not an isolated problem.
But Norman Lamb, MP for Norfolk North, told the BBC that the hospital was regularly well above the safe occupancy level of 85%, and this incident was not an isolated problem.
He said: "If there was to be a flu epidemic this winter then we've got a major crisis.
He said: "If there was to be a flu epidemic this winter then we've got a major crisis.
"Across the country we're seeing occupancy rates increasing. There's also evidence that you run an increased risk of hospital acquired infections if you've got a hospital that's literally full.
"Across the country we're seeing occupancy rates increasing. There's also evidence that you run an increased risk of hospital acquired infections if you've got a hospital that's literally full.
"This is a serious problem and yet there appears to be nothing being done to increase the capacity to ensure that there's enough beds to treat patients."
"This is a serious problem and yet there appears to be nothing being done to increase the capacity to ensure that there's enough beds to treat patients."
In Suffolk, Ipswich hospital said it had very few beds but was managing the situation and a spokesman for the West Suffolk hospital said its alert had been also been caused by sickness bugs.
Lack of staff
A spokesman for Addenbroke's Hospital, Cambridge, said the hospital had been on black alert, but by Thursday morning it was no longer on high alert.
Milton Keynes and Hertfordshire health officials have said they are not on alert, but Bedford hospital has been on black alert since Friday.
A spokesman for Bedford hospital said there were very few beds available and although there was another ward free, it could not open as there was not enough staff to run it.
In Suffolk, Ipswich hospital said it had very few beds but was managing the situation and a spokesman for the West Suffolk hospital said its alert had been caused by sickness bugs.
A spokesman for Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, said the hospital had been on black alert, but by Thursday morning it was no longer on high alert.
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